"Caylee's Law" headed for McCrory's desk

Published: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 09:20 AM.

RALEIGH — Legislation making it a crime to fail to report a missing child and increasing punishment for false reports about similar investigations is heading to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's desk.

The House voted unanimously Tuesday for the measure named in memory of a Florida toddler's death that made national headlines. The Senate passed "Caylee's Law" — for Caylee Anthony — last week by a similar vote.

The bill makes it a felony when parents knowingly fail to report to police their child has been missing for at least 24 hours. It's a misdemeanor if any other person reasonably suspects a child may be in danger but doesn't tell police within a reasonable time.

There would also be a new crime of failing to notify authorities about a child's death.

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RALEIGH — Legislation making it a crime to fail to report a missing child and increasing punishment for false reports about similar investigations is heading to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's desk.

The House voted unanimously Tuesday for the measure named in memory of a Florida toddler's death that made national headlines. The Senate passed "Caylee's Law" — for Caylee Anthony — last week by a similar vote.

The bill makes it a felony when parents knowingly fail to report to police their child has been missing for at least 24 hours. It's a misdemeanor if any other person reasonably suspects a child may be in danger but doesn't tell police within a reasonable time.

There would also be a new crime of failing to notify authorities about a child's death.